Tire flap



July 6,1926. 1,591,465

' R. S. BURDETTE TIRE FLAP nventcw akbozmq Patented July 6, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,591,465 PATENT orties.

RICHARD S. BURDETTE, 0F AKRON, OHIO, .ASSIGNOR TO THE GOODYEAR TIRE :Se RUE- BER COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TIRE FLAI.

Application filed November My invention relates to pneumatic tires of thedouble tube type, and it has particular relation to members adapted for protecting the inner tube and known in the tire industry as a tire Hap.

One object of my invention is to provide a flap which is adaptedto be manufactured in flat strips and which will conform to the shape of those portions of the pneumatic tire casing and wheel rim which it engages when in use without being molded to conform to such shape. y

Another object of my invention is to provide a iap composed of elastic material reinforced by substantially inelastic materia] in such manner that 'the edge portions of the flap are permitted to stretch while the central portion thereof is prevented from stretching.

Various types of flaps have been employed as protectors for inner tubes against the deteriorating effects of rust, which would occur if the inner tube were in direct engagement with the metal rim of the vehicle wheel, and

" also against pinching of the tube which is likely to occur at the bead portions of the tire casing. The most commonly known flap is composed of rubber impregnated fabric, which is cut to suitable length, dependent upon the size of the tire casing in which it is to be used. In order to construct these fabric flaps so as to conform substantially to the shape of the inner' tube and tire casing in conjunction with which they are used, the `flaps are so molded that they are arcuate longitudinally and are Yapproximately arcuate or U-shape in cross-section. this method of molding, there remains the likelihood of the flaps buckling or becoming wrinkled when they are inserted within a tire casing and the inner tube is iniiated. Furthermore, when the fiaps are prepared for shipment after n'ianufacture, it is desirable to roll them in compact form andthe rolling operation tends to flatten and destroy the U-shaped contour thereof, also the U- shape contour interferes with proper rolling of the flaps.

vSolid rubber flaps have also been employed, but in order to obtain the desired strength and flexibility other difficulties present themselves. `For example, relatively high grade rubber is necessary in order to render solid rubber flaps suitable for practical use. However, the high grade rubber Even with 24, 1925. Serial No. 71,164.

required for this type of flaps is too ei;- pensive to justify manufacture of solid rubber iiaps for all purposes. Moreover, the solid rubber flap, as a-whole, is resilient to such an extent thatit is likely to engage di rectly with the points of the beads of the ytire casing, and as slight movement of theV ofthe base strip. In a. flap so constructed t the edge portions thereof are adapted to stretch longitudinally while the central portion is restrained from stretching. This elasticity of the edges permits the flap to conform to the shape of the adjacent engaging portions of an inner tube, tire casing and wheel rim. IVhen inserted within the tire casing, prior to infiation of the inner tube, the central portion ofthe flap will lie close to the peripheral surface of the wheel rim and will be held in this position by the non-extensible central reinforcement.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, of which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan View vof a flap constructed according to my invention;

l-ig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of the flap shown in Fig. l, the section being taken subl stantially along the line II-II thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view partially in cross-section illustrating a pneumatic tire casing having an inflated inner tube disposed therein and provided with a flap constructed according tol my invention, all mounted upon a cooperating wheel rim.

In practicing my invention I provide a flap: generally indicated by the numeral 10, which is illustrated in Fig. 8 in operative position between bead portions 1l of a pneumatic tire casing l2, and engaging the inner circumferential surface of an inner tube 13. As shown in this figure` the tire casing 12 is mounted upon a wheel rim 14, which enalii Cil

gages the central portion of the inner circrunferential surface of the flap.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the flap is provided with a base strip 15 of rubber compound, Which is reinforced by means of transversely disposed cords 16, the latter being spaced and completely embedded Within the rubber compound or they may be v'ulcanized to either side thereof. If desired, the cords 16 may be interwoven with spaced filler threads 17, which function only to maintain the cords in proper position before and While they are being incorporated in the rubber. These filler threads, being fragile, do not serve as strengthening elements, and may be dispensed with altogether if desired.

A longitudinally disposed relatively narrow rubberized fabric strip 18 is secured, by vulcanizing or by cementing, as may be ldesired, to the central portion of the rubber base strip 15. The reinforcing band 18 includes longitudinally extending cords 19, which impart' strength to the flap circumferentially along its central portion. The cords 19 maybe interwoven with transversely arranged filler threads which are similar to and perform the same function as the tiller threads 17 of the member 15. The portions 22 and Q8 of the member 15, extendingfrom the outer edges of the reinforcing strip 18 to the edges of the member 15, have no longitudinal reinforcements and are extensible longitudinally of the flap, but they are rendered non-extensible transversely thereof by means of the cords 16.

.F laps constructed according to the fore- Agijoing description are adapted to be cured in fiat strips which are subsequently cut to proper lengths to accommodate various sizes of pneumatic tire casings. After being vcut to length they are rolled into compact form and are then packed for shipment. Also, these flaps are 'adapted to be constructed in the. forni of endless rings, in the event that such construction is found to be desirable.

lWhen the flap 10 is inserted Within the tire casing 1Q, and the inner tube 13 is in flated, the rubberized falnfic strip 18 will rest against the inner tube 18 and the side of the iiap opposite the strip 18 will rest against the adjacent portions of the tire casing and Wheel rim 111. It will be apparent that the outer extremities of the edge portions 22 and 28 in'this position Will be of greater circumferential length than the fai ric strip 18, and these portions, being resilient, will stretch in a somewhat fan-like manner, as indicated at 2a, without vvrinltling, and at the same time retaining their strength by virtue of the reinforcing cords 16. The transversely arranged reinforcingl cords 1G impart sufcient stiffness to the iiap to prevent the toe of the beads 11 from pinching` it 'While in use.

It is to be understood that the rubberized fabric strip 18 may include more than one layer of cord fabric, and that crosslwoven fabric may be employed in this element in the event such fabric is desirable. Also, it is immaterial Whether the strip 18 lies directly against the rim 1i `or against the inner tube, as the iiap functions eiiiciently in either position.

li1 rom the foregoing description it Will be apparent that i aps embodying my invention are peculiarly adapted to serve the purpose ofprotecting inner tubes in pneumatic tire casiiigs. They are inherentlyk resilient in regions 'Where resiliency and flexibility are required, as well as being' strong and inextensible in regions where such characteristics are needed. Also,rthat their structure and flexibility renders it possiliie to cure the flaps by a most simple method and While in a flattened condition,

Although 1 have illustrated but one form which my invention may assume and have described in detail but a single application thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art tl at it is not so limited but that various minor modifications and changes may be made therein wit-hout departing from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims. y

vWhat l claim is 1. fr tire flap comprising 'a rubber strip provided with spaced transversely arranged cords secured therein, and a relatively narroiv strip of reinforcing material secured to the rubber strip.

2. A tire flap comprising a rubber strip provided With cords vulcanized therein and disposed at right angles to the edges of the strip, and a reinforcing strip of rubberized fabric material secured to `the rubber strip centrally thereof.

3. A tire flap comprising a rubber strip provided with separate spaced trainrseisel)Y arranged cords embedded therein and a relatively narrovvv strip of material provided ivith cords disposed longitudinallv1 thereof secured longitudinally to the rubber strip.

4. A tire flap coniprising a rubber base strip provided `vith spaced cords transversely embedded therein and a relatively `narrow rubliierized cord fabric lreinforcement vulcanized to the base strip, the cords of the reinforcement being disposed substantially t right angles to the cords of the base strip.

A tire flap comprising a rubber strip reinforced against transverse stretching and a relatively narrow member reinforced against longitudinal stretching and so vulcanized to the rubber strip vthat the latter is substantially inextensible longitudinally along its central portion but adapted 'io stretch in a fan like manner 'alongits edges.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

RICHARD s. BUn'DnTTn. 

